Replacement cost of Battery?

From what I've seen from the Insight there is quotes for battery replacement + labor from $2000 all the way to $6000! But it seems like as battery tech gets better the warranty on the batteries are getting longer also....like 8years.

Will be interesting to see what Honda puts the CRZ at for battery type and warranty

Ugh I sure hope there is a long warranty....if im gonna spend 30k on a car i don't want to spend another 5k on a battery 5 years down the road.

With all the new technology comin out there must be some type of battery that would last longer/ cheaper to replace.

BlackCivic said:

From what I've seen from the Insight there is quotes for battery replacement + labor from $2000 all the way to $6000! But it seems like as battery tech gets better the warranty on the batteries are getting longer also....like 8years.

Will be interesting to see what Honda puts the CRZ at for battery type and warranty

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Insight or HCH batteries cost $3200 in most of the country installed, and about $4000 in CA. Insights require computer upgrades that cost $800 for 2002+ Insights and $1700 for 2000-2001 Insights. (One of the computers is flashable from 2002 on and therefore doesn't need to be replaced.)

There is an option to repair the battery for a lot less money.

Is it only Honda dealerships that can replace the factory batteries???

Sounds like battery repair will be the best option from your posts hybridrepair

crz2luv said:

Sounds like battery repair will be the best option from your posts hybridrepair

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Sounds like you'd be dumb not too. But if there is no shop around to repair it then you are pretty much SOL

"SOL"? Maybe not. I'm not affiliated with "hybridrepair" but I will say I have been following posts on another forum complete with testimonials. With the help and instructions from "hybridrepair" most folks have been able to take the battery pack out themselves and ship it to his shop. I think he will even ship you a crate for it. Sounds like great customer service to me. Again, I'm not affiliated. Hybrid-Battery-Repair But I would check out his site.

At one time I was going to get an Insight I, with or without a battery that worked because I knew where to get it fixed. Then I found out about the CRZ and I'm looking forward to purchasing one.

Lets hope the CRZ battery is easy to remove then, anything that works and saves money is a huge plus

Great info guys!!

Whats the downtime usually to ship and get the batterys repaired? Weeks/months?

crz2luv said:

Is it only Honda dealerships that can replace the factory batteries???

Sounds like battery repair will be the best option from your posts hybridrepair

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Currently I am rebuilding out-of-warranty 2003-2005 HCH and 2000-2006 Insights (and the odd Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid). It's a reasonable alternative to a $3-5K bill.

crz2luv said:

Lets hope the CRZ battery is easy to remove then, anything that works and saves money is a huge plus

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An Insight battery is monumentally difficult to remove due to the prototype nature of the car. It will take the average owner 3 hours to remove and reinstall. I did one recently: 20 minutes out and 30 minutes back.

The HCH was designed as a mass-market car and they fixed a number of the servicing problems of the Insight. The average owner can get the pack out and back in in about an hour. Most of that time is fighting with the seatbelts and the seat back. I can do a swap in 20 minutes flat (with a screwgun).

I'm guessing the CRZ will be closer to an hour than three hours.

With the Insight, Honda didn't expect to have to swap out the batteries (hence the "lifting tool"). They learned quickly and the Civics have straps attached to make them easier. Subsequent models (Accord, 2010 Insight) have easy access batteries. I see no reason why the CRZ won't also.

Nemesis said:

Whats the downtime usually to ship and get the batterys repaired? Weeks/months?

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It takes three weeks in-house to repair a NiMh battery. One of the tests alone is 9 days long. It's no different for any NiMH pack. I don't see Honda moving to Lion or Lipo any time soon.

One might add that these Hondas can be driven without the hybrid battery pack so at least you can still get to work and back without renting a car or needed a backup. I suppose that could change with the CRZ. I guess we'll find out in time. My guess is to keep the price down the hybrid battery pack probably won't amount to much anyway. Perhaps the same as the Insight II.

TimDH said:

One might add that these Hondas can be driven without the hybrid battery pack so at least you can still get to work and back without renting a car or needed a backup.

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You have to substitute a part of a battery to get the Insights to charge the 12V battery, and it doesn't work with the civics. Because of this, I offer loaner packs for those who can't be without a car.

Is the loaner pack just a spare battery that you're providing?? Or would the car behave different if it has the wrong type of battery or the option is bypasses (if its even possible)?

crz2luv said:

Is the loaner pack just a spare battery that you're providing?? Or would the car behave different if it has the wrong type of battery or the option is bypasses (if its even possible)?

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It's a weak, but balanced spare battery. It will hold together for a couple months.

hybridrepair said:

It's a weak, but balanced spare battery. It will hold together for a couple months.

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Great idea / alternative. :thumbup:

hybridrepair said:

It takes three weeks in-house to repair a NiMh battery. One of the tests alone is 9 days long. It's no different for any NiMH pack. I don't see Honda moving to Lion or Lipo any time soon.

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Hmmm cool stuff